Infection of laparoscopically inserted inguinal hernia repair mesh following subsequent emergency open surgery: a report of two cases.

We present two cases of laparoscopically inserted mesh for inguinal hernia repair that became infected following emergency open bowel surgery. We believe that there is an increased risk of infection due to the larger size of mesh used in the laparoscopic repair but also due to the patient not volunteering the information because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.

[Rotator cuff diseases in occupational medicine between occupational diseases and accidents: medical-legal considerations]. / La patologia della cuffia dei rotatori in Medicina del Lavoro tra tecnopatia ed infortunio: considerazioni medico-legali.

The authors have gone through the complaints concerning all the cases of shoulder accidents at work filed by the Genoa office of the Italian Workers' National compensation Agency (INAIL) during the two years' period 2006-2007, reviewing in particular those somehow affecting rotator components. The aim of this paper is to assess the real role played by the occupational trauma in the rotator cuff tear. The data gathered so far have shown, on the one hand, a high prevalence of pre-existing inflammatory and degenerative diseases and, on the other, a rather modest influence of the trauma which, for this reason, has usually borne, as an immediate medico-legal consequence, the rejection of a cause-effect relationship between the accident and the rotator cuff lesion, without taking into any account whether the worker was likely to be affected by an occupational disease (ex table Ministerial Decree n. 81 April 9th 2008- item 78). In such cases a systematic and in-depth investigation of the occupational case history is suggested, in order to highlight the possible pre-existence of a former biomechanical overload of the upper limbs, so as to allow the physician to detect a pathology often misdiagnosed.

Temporary extracorporeal jugulosaphenous bypass for the peri-operative management of patients with superior vena caval obstruction: a report of three cases.

Superior vena caval obstruction from a mediastinal mass presents a significant risk to patients requiring general anaesthesia, with reports of sudden death on induction of anaesthesia, during intubation and on initiation of positive pressure ventilation. We describe the first reported use of temporary extracorporeal jugulosaphenous bypass in three cases of superior vena caval obstruction and extrinsic tracheal compression caused by massive retrosternal multinodular goitre. The bypass was performed before induction of general anaesthesia with consequent reduction in upper body venous pressure and avoidance of complications.

Thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: a report of two cases.

Two patients with primary hyperparathyroidism caused by solitary ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenomas have been successfully treated by thoracoscopic excision. The patients were not suitable for open thoracic surgery. Both had right-sided adenomas confirmed by sestamibi and computerised tomography - one adjacent to the oesophagus at the level of D3, the other anterolateral to the ascending aorta. Both procedures were performed through one 12-mm camera port and two 5-mm operating ports, and were uncomplicated, with 30-45 minutes skin-to-skin operating time. Both patients were well enough to be discharged the next day, and both rapidly became normocalcaemic. At follow-up, neither had developed any complications. In selected cases, where an ectopic adenoma lies immediately deep to the mediastinal pleura, thoracoscopic excision offers considerable advantage over open thoracic surgery.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm presenting with dysphagia: a fatal delay in diagnosis.

Extrinsic oesophageal compression leading to dysphagia is a recognised but uncommon sole presentation of thoracic aortic aneurysms. This has been referred to as Dysphagia Aortica, and is a late presentation of large thoracic aneurysms, or a symptom of impending aorto-oesophageal fistula. We present the case of a 67 year old woman who presented repeatedly with dysphagia and weight loss over a 3 month period to specialists in three different disciplines. Eventually, a type II thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm causing extrinsic compression of the oesophagus was discovered. When dealing with patients who present with dysphagia, if no other cause is discovered, a thoracic aortic aneurysm should form part of the differential diagnosis, as this is potentially curable, and delays in diagnosis and treatment predispose to rupture and death.

Torted and ruptured wandering spleen presenting as a surgical emergency in pregnancy.

Wandering spleen (WS) is characterised by incomplete fixation of the spleen to its supporting linorenal and gastrosplenic ligaments. It can predispose to life-threatening complications due to torsion of its vascular pedicle, splenic infarction, portal hypertension, and haemorrhage. A 27-year-old, 36-week prima gravida underwent emergency caesarean section for tachycardia and hypotension. A healthy baby girl was delivered. However, she remained shocked despite aggressive fluid therapy and intraoperatively it was noted that there was significant intraperitoneal bleeding and the on-call surgical team was summoned. Midline laparotomy revealed a lacerated, infarcted, hypermobile spleen found with free intraperitoneal bleeding. The unsalvageable spleen was resected and the patient went on to make an excellent recovery. The aetiology of WS is contentious. With an increased frequency among multiparous females of reproductive age, some suggest the hormonal effects of pregnancy as contributing factors. Clinical presentations range from an asymptomatic abdominal mass to acute abdominal pain with hypovolaemic shock. WS poses a serious threat to life due to thrombosis, bleeding, or infarction. Ultrasound scan and CT scan are equally effective in the diagnosis. Patients with asymptomatic WS should be treated with elective splenopexy, however, in the acute presentation, splenectomy is the procedure of choice.

Randomized clinical trial of three-layer paste and four-layer bandages for venous leg ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Both four-layer and three-layer paste bandages are widely used in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of these two bandaging regimens. METHODS: The study was a prospective, randomized, open comparison of a consecutive cohort of 133 patients with venous ulcers. Participants were stratified by ulcer size into one of three groups and were randomized within each group to receive either three-layer paste or four-layer bandages. All patients were followed for 1 year. The time taken to complete ulcer healing was the primary endpoint. The time taken to apply the bandages, comfort, tolerability and cost were also assessed. Analysis was performed on the basis of intention to treat. RESULTS: Ulcers healed completely in 51 (80 per cent) of 64 patients treated with three-layer paste bandages compared with 45 (65 per cent) of 69 patients treated with the four-layer regimen (P = 0.031). This difference developed only after 20 weeks of treatment. The median times to complete healing were 12 weeks for three-layer and 16 weeks for four-layer treatment (P = 0.040). Results of venous function tests, including half-refilling times, were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Three-layer paste bandages were significantly more effective at healing venous ulcers than the four-layer regimen in this study.

Randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of two bandaging regimens in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Many venous ulcers are healed by the application of external compression. It has been suggested that bandages capable of producing greater compression enhance healing. The aim of this study was to compare the time to total healing of venous ulcers in two groups of patients treated with different compression regimens in a randomized prospective trial. METHODS: A total of 112 patients was studied and all were treated with a zinc-impregnated paste bandage applied directly to the ulcer. Fifty-seven patients had the paste covered by Tensopress and 55 by Elastocrepe bandages. Both groups had a tubular bandage applied over the top to retain the bandage in place. All ulcers were stratified and randomized within one of three size groups. The 'venous' aetiology of the ulcer was confirmed on completion by calf pump function tests. RESULTS: By 26 weeks, 58 per cent of the patients treated with Tensopress and 62 per cent of those treated with Elastocrepe bandages were healed. The median healing times were 9 and 9.5 weeks respectively. Similar numbers of patients were excluded or withdrawn from both groups. Large ulcers healed significantly more slowly than small ulcers. CONCLUSION: There was no significant improvement in venous ulcer healing using higher compression elastic bandages.

Value of isotope lymphography in the diagnosis of lymphoedema of the leg.

BACKGROUND: Isotope lymphography has largely replaced contrast lymphography in the diagnosis of lymphoedema. Its accuracy has only been assessed in small studies and it is not known if it can identify patients with a proximal lymphatic obstruction who may be suitable for lymphatic bypass surgery. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-five patients suspected to have lymphoedema were investigated by isotope lymphography between 1985 and 1995. Contrast lymphography was also carried out in 29 of these patients because the isotope results were thought to be misleading, or because lymphatic bypass surgery was being considered. RESULTS: In the 29 patients who had both investigations isotope lymphography detected 20 of 24 abnormal lymphatic systems. Four legs with obstructed groin lymphatics were reported as normal. Two legs with normal contrast lymphograms were erroneously diagnosed as having lymphoedema in the isotope study. Detectable groin nodes on the scintigrams were indicative of either normal lymphatics or proximal lymphatic obstruction. An increase in isotope uptake over 30-60 min of less than 50 per cent, or a total absence of isotope within groin nodes, was a sensitive indicator that patients were unsuitable for lymphatic bypass surgery. CONCLUSION: Isotope lymphography is a moderately sensitive test for lymphoedema, which will mistakenly classify some normal legs as lymphoedematous. It will usually correctly identify patients who are suitable for lymphatic bypass surgery.

[Occupational exposure to asbestos and recognition of pleural mesothelioma as occupational disease in the province of Genoa]. / Esposizione professionale ad amianto e riconoscimento del mesotelioma pleurico come malattia professionale nella provincia di Genova.

The present study compares the data of pleural mesothelioma (PM) patients resident in the province of Genoa (Italy) who, in the period 1994-1996, applied to the Italian National Insurance Institute for Work Accident (INAIL), for workers' compensation for asbestos-related diseases due to occupational exposure, with the dataset of PM patients collected by the Mesothelioma Registry of Liguria (REM) in the same period and in the same area. As PM is a malignant tumor of a prevalently occupational origin, it is recognized and acknowledged as such by INAIL when clinical and etiological characteristics are matched. Objectives of this study were to describe observed PM cases, to evaluate completeness of collected data and differences between those who requested compensation and those who did not. The REM describes the incidence of PM among Ligurian residents, proposing patients with a specific questionnaire to assess occupational, environmental and indoor asbestos exposures. The REM collected 199 new cases of PM among the residents of both the city of Genoa (1994-96) and the province of Genoa (1995-96). In the same period, INAIL received 48 (24%) applications for compensation. Among these, 43 subjects were included in a subgroup of 98 patients registered in the REM as cases with definite diagnosis and ascertained asbestos exposure; 32 were awarded compensation, while 11 are under evaluation. The data collected by REM do not show proven asbestos exposure and/or PM diagnosis for five other subjects (two compensated and three under judgment). This study reveals that: a) only a 24% of the patients with a diagnosis of PM and asbestos exposure apply for compensation; b) an exchange of information among institutions involved in primary prevention, in the evaluation of occupational exposures to carcinogens and in insurance compensation is useful.

Rash, abdominal pain and hyponatraemia.

Hypertriglyceridaemia is a rare precipitant of acute pancreatitis. We present a patient with acute pancreatitis and hyponatraemia in association with severe hyperlipidaemia, predominantly hypertriglyceridaemia. The patient was successfully treated with plasma exchange therapy.

Restenting malignant oesophageal strictures.

BACKGROUND: Self-expanding metal stents are used to palliate malignant strictures of the oesophagus. This study was designed to identify the characteristics of patients requiring restenting of malignant oesophageal strictures. METHODS: Fifty-three stents were inserted in 42 patients. Thirty-two patients did not require further stenting (once-stented group). Ten patients received second stents for recurrent oesophageal obstruction (restented group), with one patient requiring restenting a second time. Comparisons were drawn between the once-stented and restented groups with regard to survival, patient, tumour and procedural characteristics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard to tumour grade, tumour type, involvement of the cardia, procedural difficulties or the need for postprocedural oesophageal dilatation between the two groups. Survival from initial stenting was significantly greater in the restented group (median 24 (range 4-43) weeks) than in the once-stented group (median 9.5 (range 1-84) weeks) (P < 0.05). The mean length of stents used in the once-stented group was significantly greater than that of the initial stents used in the restented group (12 versus 10 cm, P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Inserting a covered stent through a previously inserted uncovered stent is an uncomplicated and well tolerated technique which maintains palliation from obstructing oesophageal carcinoma. The need for restenting cannot be predicted on the basis of tumour characteristics alone.